What causes the sound of a thunderstorm?

Introduction

The sound of a thunderstorm, commonly known as thunder, has intrigued scientists for centuries. The phenomenon is closely linked to the occurrence of lightning, which involves complex electrical and thermal processes. This synthesis aims to present the key insights from recent research papers on the causes of thunder.

Key Insights

Thermal Expansion of Air: Thunder is primarily caused by the sudden thermal expansion of air due to the extreme heat generated by lightning. The air around the lightning channel heats up to temperatures as high as 30,000 K, causing a rapid expansion that creates a shockwave, which we hear as thunder .
Electrodynamic Forces: Some studies suggest that electrodynamic forces, such as the longitudinal Ampere force and the alpha-torque force, may also play a role in driving the thunder shockwave. However, quantitative agreement on this theory has not yet been achieved.

Conclusion

The primary cause of thunder is the rapid thermal expansion of air due to the intense heat generated by lightning. While there are theories suggesting that electrodynamic forces might also contribute, the consensus remains that the sudden heating and expansion of air are the main drivers of the thunder sound.

What causes the sound of a thunderstorm?

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

The cause of thunder

Thunder is caused by a shockwave in air driven by the sudden thermal expansion of plasma in the lightning channel, with the Lorentz pinch force being too small and in the wrong direction to be the cause.

Thunder and Lightning

Thunder and lightning are created by lightning, with the separation of charges occurring due to the freezing of water into ice crystals.

Thunderstorms

During thunderstorms, both ascending and descending currents can cause fatal accidents, and continuous lightning-conductors provide sufficient protection for public buildings, but metal pinnacles and iron pillars should be insulated below.

The Mechanism of Thunderstorms and its Environmental Effects (A Review)

Thunderstorms cause significant damage to humans, infrastructures, and plants, and increasing surface temperature may increase their occurrence in Africa.

The Distribution of Electricity in Thunderclouds

This paper presents a method for recording the distribution of electricity in thunderclouds using sounding balloons, providing valuable data for understanding the mechanism of thunderstorms and improving the circulation of electricity through the atmosphere.

Thunderstorms and the Sound of Lightning

The sound of lightning is a distinct pistol-shot-like sound, which is not produced by the actual flash, but rather by the sudden reverberation of the electric discharge.

Seismic Observations of Four Thunderstorms Using an Underground Fiber-Optic Array

The underground fiber-optic array on the Penn State campus effectively recorded seismic disturbances from four thunderstorms, allowing reconstruction of their movement and seismic velocity measurements.

Lightning Applications in Weather and Climate Research

Lightning can provide early warnings for severe weather, impact climate, and serve as a useful tool for tracking climate change in the future.

Soft computing and data mining techniques for thunderstorms and lightning prediction: A survey

Soft computing and data mining techniques can improve thunderstorm and lightning prediction, reducing damage and loss of property.

Thunderstorm as a Source of Sounds in the Ocean

Thunderstorms produce infrasound bursts at large ranges and impulsive sounds in the 100-300 Hz band, which can be linked to lightning strikes.

Try another search